Month: January 2025

Acts 20:7-38

• What is the funniest or strangest thing you have ever seen in a church meeting?
• Context:
  • We will see a strange an event happen at a church service where Paul is speaking tonight.
  • Last time Paul was leaving Greece he went to Philippi  but sent some of his party on ahead to wait in Troas for Paul and the others with him.  By the way the word “We” is being used again by Luke so this means he is back traveling with Paul again. Evidently Luke had been left in Philippi to help the new church there and is now back with Paul. Paul and his companions spend a week in Troas before traveling on. 
• Acts 20:7-12
• 7 On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, 9 and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.” 11 After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.
  • What was the primary reason the church came to together on the 1st day of the week according to verse 7?
    • To break bread…What does that mean? A reference to the Lord’s Supper
  • What time do you think their Sunday service started?
    • Sunday was a normal; work day for the 1st Century world so believers had to gather early in the morning before starting their work day or in the evening after working that day.  It appears this was an evening meeting. So people would have been tired.
  • Why do you think they chose to meet on the 1st day of the week?
    • It is when Jesus resurrected it is also when the Lord appeared to the disciples after His resurrection. We see in Acts that early on the followers of Christ chose to meet on this day
  • Why do you think Paul kept talking until all hours of the night?
    • I think Paul thought he would never be this way again and was trying to encourage and teach. Notice when Paul stopped talking…Day Break!  
  • How does Paul handle the Eutychus fall?
    • Paul interrupts the service to see what happen to the one who fell out the window. The boy is dead yet Paul does something like Elijah puts his whole body on the boy… the power of God saves him. This also like what Peter did raising the Christian lady Tabitha from the dead, found in Acts 9.
• Acts 20:13-16
• 13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul on board, because these were his instructions, since he himself was going by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went on to Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, the next day we arrived off Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after, we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost.
  • Why do you think Paul walked to Assos instead of sailing with the others?
    • I think it was to spend as much time as possible with the Christians in Troas…this would have been a twenty mile walk for Paul.
  • Why does Paul want to avoid Ephesus?
    • I don’t think he was afraid to go back but if he went there it would be just to say hi and bye…which would mean another emotional good bye which could be time consuming and emotionally draining. In fact he may have thought it would delay his return to Jerusalem.
  • What is Paul’s ultimate destination?
    • Paul has set a goal for himself Jerusalem by Pentecost…I wonder why?  Paul wanted to take part in the feast?  There would be more pilgrims there at that time visiting Jerusalem maybe his hope to be able to preach about Christ in Jerusalem.
• Acts 20:17-21
• 17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.
  • Why does Paul send for the elders of the Ephesus church?
    • Evidently they were stuck in port of a few days. The Elders were about 30 miles away…Paul wants to see them one more time. So someone went and got them
  • If you look at verses 17-21 what is Paul doing?
    • Reviewing his time with them and reminding them of his example and also defending his actions and ministry…Why would Paul feel like he needs to defend his ministry?  Because there are those who are trying to undermine it… Jewish Christian who don’t like Paul bringing Gentiles into the church; Jews; Pagan religions which were losing followers to the truth…Jealously from other evangelists or leaders.
• Acts 20:22-31
• 22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.
  • Look at verses 22-24 what is Paul’s point here?
    • He is explaining his present plans and travels even his motivation.
  • Do you find anything interesting about the Holy Spirit’s guidance to Paul?
    • Compelled by the Spirit for him to go where the Spirit knows Paul will have hardship…did you notice how often the Spirit warns Paul? In every city? What does that mean? Were prophets in the church were warning Paul what lay ahead for him?
  • What was Paul main concern his safety or something else?
    • See verse 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 
  • Why could Paul claim he was innocent of any man’s blood?
    • Because he has done what Christ called him to do; preach and teach the Word of God.
  • What does Paul charge these elders to do?
    • See verse 28  Keep watch over themselves and the flock they serve.
  • How did God pay for His church?
    • Verse 28 With his blood…does God have blood? Jesus did…
  • Why do the elders need to keep watch?
    • Paul knew trouble was coming from inside and outside the church…Is this the only time Paul has warned them? He says he has warned them for 3 years.
• Acts 20:32-38
• 32 “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. 35 In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. 37 There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
  • What does Paul commit them too?
    • “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace… What does mean for the Elder? Elders better know the word of God and be practicing it!
  • What kind of example did Paul give them according to verses 33-35?
    • Supported himself and others…But what is the point? Working allowed him to help the weak.
  • How hard was this farewell?
• TAKE AWAY
  • Does any of this have application in the church today?  
  • The Holy Spirit may direct us where it is not easy or fun.
  • The church will always be in a spiritual battle; the attack is the same from inside and outside the church. The attack will often be to distort the truth
  • What is the implication for leaders in the church?
    • They need to be committed to God’s Word they need to look after themselves and the congregation
  • What if we are not a leader; how does it apply to us?

Acts 19:21-20:6

• Context:  We have been looking at Paul’s 3rd  missionary journey which has turned into an extended stay of 3 years in the City of Ephesus. This has given Paul the opportunity to concentrate on sharing the gospel in what we now call Turkey.  We saw last week where the community was changing many were giving up there magic arts and turning to God.   There will be more ramifications of this tonight
• Acts 19:21-22
• 21 After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “It is necessary for me to see Rome as well.” 22 After sending to Macedonia two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
  • What are Paul’s plans in the future?
    • Go back to Jerusalem on the way cut thru Greece visit the churches there then after Jerusalem go to Rome.  Paul even sends two helpers ahead of him…Timothy and Erastus.
    • Note: Erastus was well known…in 1929 a stone was found in ancient Corinth that read “Erastus procurator of public buildings, laid this pavement at his own expense.”  Is this the same guy? Romans 16:23…Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works,…
  • Something happens before Paul leaves Ephesus…
• Acts 19:23-27
• 23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods. 27 Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”
  • Did you notice the name for the church?
    • The Way
  • Is the church seen here as making a large impact on society?
    • Big time…Years (AD160) Later the governor of Bithynia in this area would write to Emperor Trajan bemoaning the fact that the temples were deserted, neglected worship to the gods and no idols were being purchased…because the whole region had become Christians.
  • This fellow Demetrius; was his real concern the religion of Artemis?
    • He is more concerned about the economic impact to him personally…Less worshippers of Artemis less sales of idols…
  • Do you think economic issues and religion clash in our time?
    • Abortion and baby parts…locals don’t want churches moving in because they don’t pay property tax… 
• Acts 19:28-41
• 28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 Although Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to venture into the amphitheater. 32 Some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some Jews in the crowd gave instructions to Alexander after they pushed him to the front. Motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 When the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, “People of Ephesus! What person is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our goddess. 38 So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it must be decided in a legal assembly. 40 In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disturbance.” 41 After saying this, he dismissed the assembly.
  • What impact did Demetrius’ speech with the craftsmen have?
    • It’s intended effect a near riot… 
  • Who got snapped up in the confusion?
    • Gaius and Aristarchus known Christians and companions of Paul. That these men were known means Paul was well known among the population of Ephesus.
  • Had Paul ever dealt with hostility like this before in Ephesus?
    • See 1 Corinthians 15:32  If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained?
  • Why do you think Paul wanted to appear before the crowd?
    • Help his fellow Christians and defend the gospel. Preach to a big crowd.
  • Do you think it was better that he did not?
    • Yes, I think it only would have escalated the situation.
  • Who were some of the people that tried to keep Paul from speaking to the crowd?
    • Not only other Christians but officials of the province, friends of Paul. It sounds like Paul had some powerful friends.
  • Why do you think the Jews pushed Alexander to speak to the crowd?
    • Probably to point out that Paul and the Way people have nothing to do with the Jews. But he never gets the opportunity 
  • What do you think of the way this near riot was averted?
    • I wonder if this city official was put there by God. The Greek word for the official was Asiarchs- they were in charge of the Emperor cult which co-opted the worship to Artemis) … he used a level head and common sense to defuse the situation (we could use many like him today). Keep in mind that Ephesus was the 4th largest city in the Roman Empire at that time. This guy is there because he is the liaison between the rulers of Ephesus and Rome. He could send a bad report to Rome that they are rioting. 
• Acts 20:1-6
• After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying farewell, departed to go to Macedonia. 2 And when he had passed through those areas and offered them many words of encouragement, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. The Jews plotted against him when he was about to set sail for Syria, and so he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread. In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days.
  • Do you remember how Paul got to Rome?
    • As a prisoner of Rome close to 3 years later
  • Why did Paul change his plans?
    • See Verse 3  
  • What is Paul doing as he stops and visits with each congregation along the way?
    • Encouraging them…What do you think Paul said to them? he may have said much of what we find in his letters back to the congregations…these are people who are trying to live out a life for Christ in a lost pagan world do you think they might have questions and discouragement?
  • Why are all these other men traveling with Paul?
    • These mean are responsible for getting the offering from the Gentile churches to Jerusalem…Gentile Christians carrying a gift back to help the primarily Jewish church in Jerusalem this is the 2nd times this has happened.
• TAKE AWAY
  • Is it still possible the church may find itself making a change on the local culture?
  • What would happen to the abortion clinics – bars – night clubs if 50%- 75% of the residents of Monroe Co were committed Christians?
  • Is the church called to transform not only individuals but society too?
  • Paul spent a lot of time sharing the gospel but he spent time encouraging and instructing Christians which do you think is the easier…Leading someone to Christ or Nurturing an infant Christian to maturity?
  • What can we learn about Paul’s commitment to Christ and the church?

Acts 18:23-19:20

• Context:
• What we are going to see tonight is the beginning of Paul’s third missionary journey.  This is the longest of Paul’s missionary journeys we have recorded in scripture. It covers the better parts of five years.  In this Paul has a long stay at Ephesus using it like a base of operations. We don’t have a mention of Silas. But I doubt Paul traveled alone.
• Acts 18:23-28
• 23 After spending some time there, he set out, traveling through one place after another in the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately. 27 When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters wrote to the disciples to welcome him. After he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
  • Where did Paul go first and what did he do?
    • Went to the places he has established congregations… What was he doing? Strengthening the disciples.  How did he do that? Teaching, preaching. The region of Galatia and Phrygia make up a large portion of central Turkey.
  • What do we know about this man named Apollos?
    • He was a Jew from Alexandria Egypt, he knew the scriptures (probably mean he had them memorize…the O.T.) He was very enthusiastic, he knew about John’s Baptism…(He knew what John the Baptist taught about Jesus being the Messiah).
  • What was missing from Apollos preaching?
    • He only knew of John’s baptism which was a baptism for repentance. John encouraged people to get ready for the Kingdom of God. Repent, Stop sinning.  It could be that Apollos knew some of the teaching of Jesus but many think that he did not know Jesus had raised from the dead…did not know even of the church  had been established. Which means that Apollos did not know of the new birth the Holy Spirit or the justifying work of the cross.
    • Apollos’ preaching may have been summarized as this… Repent- live a responsible life toward God- social justice all these are good but it missed the atoning death of Christ and connection to it.
  • How did you think about the way Priscilla and Aquila handles the situation with Apollos?
    • They did not criticize in public but took him to their home and instructed him where he was lacking.
  • Armed with the full gospel message what does Apollos do?
    • Goes to Achaia which is Greece, to preach. We know that Apollos went to Corinth and preached some there…He becomes very effective in proving Jesus is the Christ.
• Acts 19:1-7
• While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” “No,” they told him, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 “Into what then were you baptized?” he asked them. “Into John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy. 7 Now there were about twelve men in all.
  • Paul runs into 12 men they were called disciples but whose disciples were they?
    • Were these men presenting themselves as followers of Jesus…Something must have been said to make Paul ask the question…”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?  It seems to me that Paul is trying to see their understanding and their spiritual condition.
    • It sounds like they were in the same place as Apollos, they knew of John the Baptist and knew some things about Jesus but were lacking in full knowledge of the gospel.
  • What was defective about their baptism?
    • It was only for repentance it was not into the name of Jesus Christ.
  • What does Paul do for them to confirm baptism in the name of Jesus?
    • Impart miraculous gifts of the Spirit to them.
• Acts 19:8-10
• 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them, taking the disciples, and conducted discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
  • Where does Paul go next looking for people to share the gospel with?
    • Synagogue.
  • What eventually drives Paul away from the Synagogue?
    • Some of the Jews refused to believe Paul proved that Jesus was the Messiah in Scripture. Once they stop discussing and start attacking, Paul takes the Christians and leaves.
  • How fruitful is Paul ministry in Ephesus?
    • all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord
• Acts 19:11-12
• 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, 12 so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.
  • What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit working these great miracles thru Paul?
    • It shows Paul is approved by God that His message is true so when Paul preached about the resurrection of Christ people would be inclined to believe it.
  • Did these healing miracles save anybody from sin?
    • No, not in themselves…but if people would believe in the miracles…they may be open to believe in the One who made it possible. Were these healings based on the faith of the peopled healed?
• Acts 19:13-16
• 13 Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.
  • How do we know the church is growing having more of an influence in Ephesus?
    • Other Jews in this case were trying to cast out evil spirits using the name of Jesus preached by Paul.
  • How did this failed attempt of trying to drive out evil spirits exalt the name of Jesus?
    • It was not something to be taken lightly…there was real power in His name…more than some incantation…The name of the Lord Jesus was held in honor…that name was respected.
• Acts 19:17-20
• 17 When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem. 18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.
  • Verses19-20 what proof of change to we see here?
    • $50,000 up in smoke. This should give us an indication of why there was so many dealing with evil spirits… a bunch of people were messing with sorcery also there was idol worship which Paul connected to demons…There is a spiritual battle taking place here and Satan is losing this city.
  • What impact do you think the gospel had on the community?  
  • What impact on the economy?
• TAKE AWAY
  • How should we handle those who may not teach or understand the complete gospel?
  • What would you say to someone who said baptism is not that important?
    • When and how do we receive the Holy Spirit? Repentance is wonderful but it by itself is not enough…
  • Is there a time to walk away from those who refuse to believe and take the gospel message elsewhere?
  • Can the gospel still change communities today?